Fox and Hound. 1537 17th St., NW. Be forewarned: if you order a vodka soda at Dupont Circle’s Fox + Hounds, you’ll get a glass filled with liquor with no soda in it. Instead of mixing the two for you, this bar provides a mini bottle of mixer to add (or not) yourself. Drink with care.
Trusty’s Full-Serve Bar. 1420 Pennsylvania Ave., SE. You have the option to order your drinks from a school bus here, which is just one of the reasons why Trusty’s is one of the best and most unique dives in town. The other reasons, of course, are its huge beer selection, awesome staff and heart-attack cuisine. Get some Plavix and try The Stacker. It’s a BLT served atop a grilled cheese. You’re welcome.
The Red Derby. 3718 14th St., NW. One of the most hipster-y (pretend that's a word) bars in town, this spot features all sorts of beers and a happy hour that goes till 8 p.m. In other words, if you're looking to become a regular somewhere, this is a pretty good choice. See also: delicious sweet potato fries.
Recessions. 1823 L St., NW. If you want a bar with lots more characters than windows (there are none of those here), this downtown dive is the place for you. The drinks are served strong and the karaoke is loud. Expect a diverse crowd ready to get rowdy on the weekends. And PS, BOOM!
The Raven Grill. 3121 Mt. Pleasant St., NW. A staple in Mt. Pleasant for years, this dive has everything you need: cool bartenders, cheap beer and excellent bathroom graffiti. It's a bit rough around the edges (i.e., it kinda looks like the ceiling may collapse), but that's just part of the charm. Plus, the jukebox rules.
L.A. Bar & Grill. 2530 Columbia Pike, Arlington, Va. Before you start thinking this bar sounds sexy, realize that the “L.A.” stands for Lower Arlington. Of course, we think it stands for Lotsa Alcohol, which is what they serve here along with some pretty decent burgers. Also, they have darts that we’ve never had to wait in line for! And then, of course, there's this.
Hunan Number One. 3033 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va. This may not be a dive as much as it is a bar in a Chinese/sushi restaurant, but if you want beers taller than your head and cheap Asian food specials at the same time, Hunan Number One has the happy hour for you. Six words: General Tso’s Fried Wings for $6.95.
Jay’s Saloon. 3114 N. 10th St., Arlington, Va. If you want to get Hammertime while listening to Hammertime, this is the place for you. Located in what looks like someone’s house, the last time we were here we hunkered down and played drunk Scrabble. And it was awesome.
Stained Glass Pub. 12510 Layhill Rd., Silver Spring, Md. Good for more than just cheap and plentiful drinks, Stained Glass Pub also serves really good pizza. Come in and buy a beer on a Monday or a Tuesday and get your pie for half-price.
Quarry House Tavern. 8401 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, Md. If it wasn’t located directly below an Indian restaurant, Quarry House might be hard to find. Signage may be at a minimum at this Silver Spring favorite, but the beers and burgers are to the max.
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